02 Elantra Overheating

[nuckphoto]

I've been reading the posts on overheating and on my '02, the fans are working, there is coolant (although it was low when OH first occured, no visible leaks) and the raditor is clean. Top radiator hose gets hot so I am assuming the thermostat is working.

Other than changing the thermostat anyway, any other tips before I do?

Also, if I start it and just let it idle, it goes to normal operating temperature and stays there. If I start raising the RPMs, the temp starts climbing and the A/C stops cooling.

Thank you.

[lunasea808]

Originally Posted by nuckphoto

I've been reading the posts on overheating and on my '02, the fans are working, there is coolant (although it was low when OH first occured, no visible leaks) and the raditor is clean. Top radiator hose gets hot so I am assuming the thermostat is working.

Other than changing the thermostat anyway, any other tips before I do?

Also, if I start it and just let it idle, it goes to normal operating temperature and stays there. If I start raising the RPMs, the temp starts climbing and the A/C stops cooling.

Thank you.

The same thing happen to my mom in-law's 03 Elantra
It's not hard it's 2 nuts 10mm (use deep size sockets) in size.
1)take off the plastic cover protecting your valve cover (5 bolts 10mm)
2)take off the plastic cover protecting or separating your air box & battery from the engine (1bolt 10mm & 3 plastic screws).
3)take off the air box (4 bolts 10mm) one by the intake holding the top of the box to the tube, the other three on the bottom of box (just pull off the air filter, now is the time to change air filter if needed).
4)drain the coolant it's on the driver side bottom of the radiator (a plastic screw, a phillips head).
5)pull off the 2 connections (one I know for the water temp the bottom the other not to sure of is right above it.
6)make sure you have alot of towels or a cup that would fit right below the thermostat housing there will be some of coolant still behind the thermostat. Pull off the plastic housing holding the 2 connections, 2 nuts hold the water outlet in place remove and pull out thermostat(2 nuts 10mm).
7)everything in reverse order to put back.
I would go ahead and pull it out anyway put in boiling water to see if it opens (the one your pulling out of the car). It's 5 years old might as well replace it. I just got done working on my mom in-law's Elantra about 15mins ago . As far as I know the 2001 to 2003 are all in the same location. The hose on the top was hot (i think because everything is so close). Total cost was $17 for the thermostat, $3 for the gasket from the dealer. I would have bought it from any auto parts store but have to order and wait 2 days only a $4 difference, also the dealer said to keep the warranty intact use only oem from hyundai.

Hope that helps some
J. A.

[nuckphoto]

Did all that a long time ago. It was the problem and thanks.